Vehicle Safety Device

ABSTRACT

A vehicle safety system that provides an improved line of sight for oncoming traffic as the vehicle is backed out of a parking space. A set of rear side looking cameras input video information to a display used by the vehicle driver. The cameras are positioned on the rear side portion of the vehicle and are directed generally to traffic coming from the rear left or right side of the vehicle. The camera is automatically activated when the transmission is placed in reverse. The camera video is input to a driver display that allows the driver to view oncoming traffic before the vehicle backs into the traffic lane. The system can also be used to monitor blind spots when a turn signal is activated prior to a lane change.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This divisional application is related to, and claims the benefit of,the now expired provisional patent application entitled “AutomobileSafety Device”, filed Oct. 19, 2008, bearing U.S. Ser. No. 61/106,610and naming Micha Schwartz, a named inventor herein, as sole inventor,and currently copending application entitled “Vehicle Safety Device”,filed Jul. 24, 2009, bearing U.S. Ser. No. 12/509,419 and naming MichaSchwartz, a named inventor herein, as sole inventor, the contents ofwhich are specifically incorporated by reference herein in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

This invention relates in general to automobile safety systems, and moreparticularly it relates to a video system that automatically or manuallyactivates when the automobile is in reverse to allow the driver to seetraffic approaching the rear sides of the vehicle when backing out of aparking space.

2. Background of the Invention

As drivers realize, it is often difficult for them to tell when trafficis coming when they are backing out of a parking space. This isespecially true when a vehicle is not parallel parked. When a vehicle isparked perpendicular to the flow of traffic, or at an angle to the flowof traffic, vehicles parked next to the driver's vehicle often block thedriver's line of sight. As a result, numerous accidents have occurredbecause of drivers who have pulled out in front of unseen oncomingtraffic. In fact, a high percentage of damage to vehicles originates inparking lots. It would be desirable to have a method of alerting adriver to traffic approaching the rear of the vehicle that is outside ofthe driver's line of sight before the driver backs out of a parkingspace.

The prior art has provided video systems that look directly behind thevehicle. This provides a safety feature that allows the driver to knowif something is directly behind the vehicle prior to backing up. Thiscan be particularly valuable in a residential setting where children maybe at play. However, known vehicle video systems only provide a viewdirectly behind the vehicle. Unfortunately, most accidents in parkinglots occur when a vehicle is backing out of a parking slot and is struckby another vehicle that is approaching in a substantially perpendicularangle in the lane behind the parking space. In this situation, rear viewvideo systems are useless because they are aimed in the wrong direction.

While the prior art has provided a variety of devices to improve vehiclesafety, it has failed to provide a system that alerts drivers backingout of parking slots about approaching vehicles that are coming from asubstantially perpendicular direction to the direction of the vehiclebacking out of a parking spot.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides a side view video system that generates videoinformation showing any traffic approaching from a substantiallyperpendicular direction to the parking slot and inputs that videoinformation to a display used by the vehicle driver. The system ispositioned on the rear portion of the vehicle and is directed to trafficcoming from the left and right sides of the vehicle. The camera systemis automatically activated when the transmission is placed in reverse.The camera video data is input to a driver display panel that allows thedriver to view traffic approaching from the side of the automobilebefore the vehicle backs into the traffic lane.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates the prior art in which a vehicle is parked at anangle to the curb with oncoming traffic in the lane that the vehicle isabout to back into.

FIG. 1B illustrates the prior art in which a vehicle was parked at anangle to the curb and is backing out into a traffic lane with oncomingtraffic.

FIG. 2 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention in which avehicle is beginning to back out of a parking space with oncomingtraffic approaching the vehicle.

FIG. 3 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the monitor that displaysimages from the rear side mounted cameras.

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative preferred embodiment in which themonitor is integrated into the rearview mirror of the vehicle.

FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative preferred embodiment in which themonitor is a standalone unit mounted in the vehicle.

FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of an alternative preferred embodiment inwhich video system is mounted on the rear of the vehicle.

FIG. 7 illustrates a rear view of the alternative preferred embodimentof FIG. 6 in which the video system is mounted on the rear of thevehicle.

FIG. 8 illustrates a rear view of another alternative preferredembodiment in which the video system using a single wide-angle camerathat is mounted on the rear of the vehicle.

FIG. 9 illustrates another use of the invention for measuring distanceto a curb when parking.

FIG. 10A illustrates the driver's blind spots when traveling on amulti-lane road.

FIG. 10B illustrates unseen vehicles in the driver's blind spots whentraveling on a multi-lane road.

FIG. 10C is a flowchart that illustrates automatic activation of theside view monitor of the driver's blind spots when a turn signal isactivated.

FIG. 10D is a flowchart that illustrates automatic activation of theside view monitor of the driver's blind spots when a turn signal isactivated with an optional timer to deactivate the side view monitoringafter the turn signal has been on for a predetermined period of time.

FIG. 10E is a flowchart that illustrates automatic activation of analarm when a turn signal is activated and a vehicle or obstruction ispresent in the driver's blind spots.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Prior to a discussion of the figures, an overview of the invention willbe presented. While it is expected that a substantial majority ofvehicles using the system will be conventional automobiles, theprinciples and advantages of the invention can be applied to anymotorized vehicle such as trucks, vans, etc. Therefore, throughout thespecification, the term vehicle will be used rather than more specificterms such as automobiles, cars, etc. The invention is a safety systemthat helps a driver avoid accidents when backing out of a parking space.It uses strategically placed cameras on the rear side or end of avehicle that are connected to a display unit. The cameras are directedlaterally on either side of the vehicle such that as the rear end of thevehicle backs out of the parking space into the traffic lane, the camerawill display images of traffic approaching either side of the vehicle.

The advantage provided by the invention is that it allows the driver tosee oncoming traffic that is approaching the side of the vehicle beforethe driver pulls the vehicle out in front of that traffic. As a result,the driver can stop the vehicle when traffic is coming in order to avoidan accident.

The display unit can be any suitable device. For example, it can use thedisplays currently available on many vehicles for navigation systems.Likewise, it can be incorporated into other devices, such as reviewmirrors. It is also possible to use a standalone monitor that is addedto the vehicle for the express purpose of this invention. Those skilledin the art will recognize that pre-existing monitors can be used alongwith aftermarket monitors.

The cameras can be placed in any convenient location. For example, theycan be incorporated in the turn signal assembly such that it issubstantially invisible. Likewise, it can be placed in any othersuitable location, such as the rear bumper or rear fender of thevehicle. In addition, the cameras can also be located in the center ofthe vehicle in a convenient location such as on the license plate. Theplacement of the cameras can be in any convenient location so long asthey can observe traffic approaching the vehicle from either side.

Having discussed the invention in general, we turn now to a detaileddiscussion of the drawings.

Regarding FIG. 1A, this figure illustrates the prior art. In this case,a vehicle 2 is parked in a parking area 1 with a number of otherpassenger vehicles 3 and/or larger vehicles such as trucks or SUVs 4.When the driver of vehicle 2 wishes to depart, vehicle 2 is driven inreverse along direction 9 towards roadway 8.

As can be seen in this figure, if another vehicle 5 is traveling alongroadway 8 in direction 6, the truck or SUV 4 will obstruct the driver'sline of sight 7. As a result, the driver of vehicle 2 may back out intoroadway 8 and have a collision with vehicle 5. This would not happen ifthe driver of vehicle 2 had been able to see oncoming vehicle 5. Thoseskilled in the art will recognize that while larger vehicles can blockthe driver's line of sight, it can also be blocked when smaller vehiclesprevent line of sight views due to window darkening materials that arecommonly used in warm climates.

FIG. 1B illustrates the prior art in which a vehicle 2 was previouslyparked at an angle to the curb and is now backing out into a roadway 8.This figure illustrates how far the vehicle 2 has to back out into theroadway 8 before the driver of vehicle 2 can see vehicle 5 along thedriver's line of sight 7. As can be seen, by the time the driver ofvehicle 2 has backed out to the point where vehicle 5 can be seen,vehicle 2 is already in roadway 8 where it may be hit by vehicle 5.

FIG. 2 depicts a preferred embodiment of the invention in which vehicle2 is equipped with the side viewing cameras 11 that are part of thisinvention. Side viewing cameras 11 are positioned near the rear side endof the vehicle 2 and are aimed outward from the sides of vehicle 2 ineither direction. In this case, the cameras 11 provide a line of sight10 that detects the oncoming vehicle 41 traveling in direction 6, aswell as a line of sight 38 that detects oncoming vehicle 42 traveling indirection 40, before vehicle 2 enters roadway 8. As can also be readilyseen from this figure, prior art rearview cameras would be useless inthis situation.

The images of oncoming vehicles 41-42, which have been detected bycameras 11, are displayed to the driver on a monitor (shown below inregard to FIG. 3) inside of vehicle 2. Because cameras 11 provides thedriver of vehicle 2 with an improved line of sight in both directions,the driver can stop vehicle 2 before it pulls in front of eitheroncoming vehicle 41-42. As a result, an accident has been avoided.

The cameras 11 have been discussed in terms of a conventional videocamera system, but those skilled in the art will recognize that they canalso be night vision cameras, infrared cameras, sonar detectors, orradar detectors. Of course, in the case of non-video detection systems,such as radar, an audio alarm or lamp would be used in place of themonitor 12 (discussed below).

FIG. 3 illustrates the monitor 12 used by the invention to displayimages captured by cameras 11. Those skilled in the art will recognizethat monitor 12 can be placed in any convenient location for thedriver's use. For ease of discussion in illustration, monitor 12 isshown mounted to the center console 16 of vehicle 2 next to steeringwheel 15. In this figure, monitor 12 is shown as a single screen that issplit into display areas 13-14. Each display area 13-14 are associatedwith a camera 11 such that when the driver is backing the vehicle 2 outof a parking space, monitor 12 will simultaneously show oncoming trafficapproaching from both directions

In FIG. 4, an alternative preferred embodiment is presented in which thedisplay areas 13, 14 of monitor 12 are incorporated into the rearviewmirror 17 of vehicle 2. In the preferred embodiment, the display area 13will show traffic coming from one side of the vehicle 2, and displayarea 14 will show traffic coming from the other side of the vehicle 2.Display areas 13, 14 may optionally be separated to make it easier forthe driver to distinguish whether oncoming traffic is coming from theleft or the right. Those skilled in the art will recognize that anadvantage of this embodiment is that it allows older vehicles withoutconsole display units could be more easily retrofitted with theinvention. The rearview mirrors with display capability are well knownin the art and do not need to be further discussed herein. Of coarse,those skilled in the art will recognize that newer vehicles equippedwith video display consoles may incorporate the invention using theirexisting video display console.

FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative preferred embodiment in which themonitor 12 is a standalone unit mounted in the vehicle. This embodimentis useful for aftermarket installations in that a minimum amount ofeffort is required to install the monitor 12.

In the preferred embodiments, the cameras 11 and monitor 12 areautomatically activated when the transmission is placed in reverse. As aresult, safety information is automatically presented to the driverwithout requiring any action on the driver's part.

This figure also illustrates optional audible alarm 18. Audible alarm 18can be placed in any convenient location. For ease of discussion,audible alarm 18 is illustrated as a discrete unit. However, thoseskilled in the art will recognize that the function of the audible alarm18 can be implemented using a pre-existing radio or stereo system withina vehicle. Likewise, the alarm 18 does not have to be an audible alarm.For example, it can be a lamp that illuminates or blinks when necessary.

FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of an alternative preferred embodiment inwhich video system is mounted on the rear of the vehicle 2. In thisview, the cameras 11 are incorporated into a camera support 19 that isin turn part of a mounting bracket 20. In this embodiment, the cameras11 are pointing to the side of the vehicle 2 such that any other vehiclewill be seen as described in the foregoing embodiments. An advantage ofthis embodiment is that it can be easily attached to a vehicle as anaftermarket accessory. In particular, bracket 20 can be mounted on thelicense plate, or even be incorporated into the license plate frame.This provides a substantial advantage in that it can be attached to thevehicle 2 without any alteration of bodywork. Also shown are videocamera leads 21 which can be routed to an aftermarket monitor, orattached to a pre-existing vehicle display system.

FIG. 7 illustrates a rear view of the alternative preferred embodimentof FIG. 6 in which the video system is mounted on the rear of vehicle 2.In particular, the same bolts used to secure the license plate can beused to secure the video system.

In this embodiment, video data from each camera 11 can be electronicallystitched together using known techniques to create a single panoramicimage.

In addition to the basic invention presented in the foregoingdiscussion, a further improvement provided by the invention includesknown motion detection circuitry that analyzes the images detected bycameras 11 to determine if an object is moving near vehicle 2. If motionis detected, the system can automatically activate an optional audiblealarm 18 to warn the driver.

Referring to FIG. 8, this figure illustrates another alternativeembodiment in which a single wide-angle camera 22 is mounted on the rearof the vehicle 2. Cameras having approximately 170° fields of vision 43are commercially available from a variety of sources. This provides asimpler and more aesthetically pleasing appearance to the vehicle 2. Ofcourse, the use of multiple cameras as shown in FIG. 7 allows a full180°, or better, view.

In regard to FIG. 9, this figure illustrates how the invention can beused to assist drivers when parking. In particular, the camera 11 can beused to assist a driver in judging how far vehicle 2 is from the curb23. This figure illustrates the field of view 44 provided to the driverto estimate distance from the curb 23.

FIG. 10A Illustrates the driver's blind spots 24, 25 when vehicle 2 istraveling in direction 6 on a multi-lane road 8.

FIG. 10B illustrates unseen vehicles 26, 27 in the driver's blind spots24, 25 when the driver's vehicle 2 is traveling in direction 6 on amulti-lane road 8. As is well known, presence of a vehicle 26 or 27 inthe driver's blind spots 24 or 25 can present an extreme safety hazardwhen vehicle 2 is changing lanes.

An optional feature of this invention provides for automatic activationof left and right side vehicle monitoring whenever a vehicle turn signalis activated. In this preferred embodiment, activation of a left orright turn signal will automatically activate cameras for that side ofthe vehicle 2. The data from the side view camera is input to themonitor 12 that provides the driver with of view of anything withinblind spots 24 or 25. In the preferred embodiment, the same monitoringsystem is used which was discussed above in regard to the otherembodiments. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that theleft and right side view mirrors can also be equipped with displayscreens so that the driver's habits will not change. For example, thedriver would normally look at the left side view mirror when turningleft or look at the right side view mirror when turning right. When aleft or right turn signal is activated, the monitor for the left orright side view mirror would also be activated so that the driver wouldsee anything in the blind spot. As a result, the possibility ofcollisions that occur during lane changes will be greatly reduced.

FIG. 1 OC is a flowchart that illustrates automatic activation of theside view cameras 11 to monitor the driver's blind spots 24, 25 when aturn signal is activated. The system is activated at step 27 when thedriver activates a turn signal. The turn signal is used to activate theappropriate side camera 11 and begin feeding video information to themonitor 12. Per step 30, side camera 11 and monitor 12 will remainactive as long as the turn signal as active. Once the turn signal isturned off, side camera 11 and monitor 12 are deactivated and the systemreturns to an inactive state.

An advantage associated with using a turn signal as the trigger for thewarning system is that it requires no action on part of the driver whenchanging lanes. Blind spots are automatically displayed on the monitor12 so long as driver has the turn signal on. This provides additionalsafety because the driver does not have to remember to take any actionto activate the system.

FIG. 10D is a flowchart that illustrates an alternative preferredembodiment in which automatic activation of the side view monitor of thedriver's blind spots when a turn signal is activated is time limited. Anoptional timer deactivates the side view monitoring after the turnsignal has been on for a predetermined period of time. The amount oftime needed to activate the timeout can be any suitable mount of time,for example, 30-60 seconds. This addresses the situation wherein theturn signal is not automatically turned off after a lane change and thedriver forgets to manually turn off the turn signal.

This figure is the same as FIG. 10C with the addition of timeout step45. When the turn signal is activated, the timer begins the timeoutperiod. As soon as the timeout period is exceeded, the timer deactivatesthe monitor even if the turn signal is still active.

FIG. 10E is a flowchart that illustrates automatic activation of analarm when a turn signal is activated if a vehicle 26 or 27 or otherobstruction is present in the driver's blind spots 24 or 25. Thisembodiment is directed to radar or sonar based detection systems.Similar to the previous embodiments, the system remains inactive until aturn signal is activated at step 32. At step 33, side mounted radar orsonar detectors are activated to monitor for objects in adjacent lanes.If a vehicle or other object is detected in step 34, then an alarm willbe activated at step 35. The alarm can be anything suitable, such as anaudible alarm, or a visual alarm such as a lamp. Per step 36, the alarmwill remain on as long as the turn signal is active and an object isdetected in the blind spot 24 or 25. Once the turn signal is turned offor the other vehicle 26 or 27 or other object is no longer detected,then the alarm is automatically turned off at step 37.

While the preferred embodiment uses a conventional video system, theinvention can also use of other technologies. For example, night visioncameras can also be used to allow the system to work more efficiently atnight. Likewise, the camera function does not have to work on visiblelight. It can use infrared, sonar or radar technology to detect oncomingvehicles. In addition, the monitor 12 can be replaced or augmented withan audio alarm 18.

While specific embodiments have been discussed to illustrate theinvention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvariations in the embodiments can be made without departing from thespirit of the invention. For example, the cameras can communicatewirelessly with the display instead of using conventional hardwiring,etc. Therefore, the invention shall be solely limited to the scope ofthe claims.

1. A safety system for backing a vehicle out of a parking space, comprising: a side facing motion detection device mounted substantially at or near the rear end of a vehicle, the motion detection device positioned such that when the rear end of the vehicle is backing into a traffic lane, it detects other vehicles approaching the vehicle on either side of the vehicle when the motion detection device has a line of sight to the other vehicle; and the motion detection device further having means to activate an alarm when another vehicle is detected approaching the vehicle; whereby the vehicle driver is automatically warned about other vehicles approaching from the sides when the vehicle is backing out a parking place.
 2. A system, as in claim 1, further comprising: means to detect when the vehicle is placed in reverse gear and automatically activate the motion detection device when the vehicle is in reverse gear.
 3. A system, as in claim 2, wherein: the alarm is an audible alarm.
 4. A system, as in claim 2, wherein: the alarm is a lamp.
 5. A system, as in claim 4, wherein: the alarm is a lamp located in the vehicle and within a driver's view.
 6. A system, as in claim 4, wherein: the alarm is a lamp located on the rear view mirror of the vehicle.
 7. A system, as in claim 4, wherein: the alarm is a lamp located on a side view mirror of the vehicle .
 8. A system, as in claim 4, wherein: the alarm is a lamp located on the left side view mirror of the vehicle and a second lamp located on the right side view mirror of the vehicle.
 9. A system, as in claim 1, wherein: the motion detection device uses radar, sonar, or infrared to detect motion of an oncoming object approaching from the side of the vehicle.
 10. A system, as in claim 1, wherein: the motion detection device is mounted on the rear end of the vehicle, and further having first and second motion detectors positioned such that, when the rear end of the vehicle is backing out of a parking space into a traffic lane, the first motion detector is positioned such that it detects objects in motion approaching the left side of the car and the second motion detector is positioned such that it detects objects in motion approaching the right side of the vehicle.
 11. A system, as in claim 10, further comprising: means to detect when the vehicle is placed in reverse gear and automatically activate the motion detection device when the vehicle is in reverse gear.
 12. A system, as in claim 11, wherein: the motion detection device uses radar, sonar, or infrared to detect motion of an oncoming object approaching from the sides of the vehicle.
 13. A system, as in claim 10, wherein: the motion detection device uses radar, sonar, or infrared to detect motion of an oncoming object approaching from the sides of the vehicle.
 14. A method of warning a driver when oncoming traffic is approaching a vehicle that is backing out of a parking space, including the steps of: monitoring moving objects approaching from the side of the vehicle by positioning a motion detection device substantially at or near the rear end of a vehicle such that when the rear end of the vehicle is backing into a traffic lane, the motion detection device detects an oncoming moving object when the rear end of the vehicle has a line of sight to the moving object; and activating an alarm when a moving object is detected approaching the vehicle from the sides; whereby the vehicle driver is automatically warned about other objects approaching from the side when the vehicle is backing out a parking place.
 15. A method, as in claim 1, including the additional step of: automatically activating the motion detection device when the vehicle is placed in reverse gear.
 16. A method, as in claim 15, including the additional step of: using radar, sonar, or infrared motion detection devices to detect motion of an oncoming object approaching from the side of the vehicle.
 17. A method, as in claim 16, including the additional step of: using an audible alarm to alert the driver when an object is detected approaching from the sides.
 18. A method, as in claim 16, wherein: using a lamp to alert the driver when an object is detected approaching from the sides.
 19. A method, as in claim 14, including the additional step of: mounting side facing first and second motion detectors on the rear end of the vehicle such that when the vehicle is backing out of a parking space into a traffic lane, the first motion detector detects objects in motion approaching the left side of the car and the second motion detector detects objects in motion approaching the right side of the vehicle.
 20. A method, as in claim 19, including the additional step of: using radar, sonar, or infrared motion detection devices to detect motion of an oncoming object approaching from the sides of the vehicle. 